Study Trip to Sweden: Learning and Inspiration

A five-day study trip took place to Stockholm & Uppsala in Sweden from 19–23 August 2024 as part of a Swedish Institute funded project. The participants were 10 university lecturers and leaders who train doctors, psychologists, sociologists, and social workers at Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ivan Franko National University, and Odesa National Medical University. 

During their visit to Sweden, they took part in several study visits, including: 

- The Red Cross Treatment Center in Uppsala, which supports children and adults who have experienced trauma due to torture, war, and displacement. 

- The National Centre for Knowledge on Men's Violence Against Women at Uppsala University and Akademiska Hospital, which works to raise awareness of gender-based violence, honour-based oppression, and violence in same-sex relationships. 

- The MIKA Clinic in Stockholm, which specialises in sexual and reproductive health for women. 

- The Emergency Clinic for Rape Survivors at Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden. 

- Various midwifery and youth clinics in the Stockholm area. 

- The Stockholm Men’s Clinic, which provides sexual health services for all men. 

The week concluded with a visit to RFSU (the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education) in Stockholm, where participants explored their teaching resource bank on sex and relationships. 

The purpose of these study visits was to give university leaders and lecturers an opportunity to reflect on norms and ideas surrounding sexual and reproductive health in higher education. By strengthening their ability to teach in a norm-critical way, they can help future doctors, psychologists, sociologists, and social workers support Ukrainian youth and young adults in their sexual and reproductive health.